Lead UI Software Engineer

The Ed Wallach Search Group; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ed Wallach Search Group in Reston, VA is seeking a Lead UI Software Developer to guide a team of 5 developers and designers building web apps for simulation and optimization software that models complex physical systems.

You will work with research scientists and software engineers across the lifecycle—from concept and prototyping through visualization, implementation, testing, and deployment—delivering polished user experiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• 8+ years of UI software development experience with leadership.
• Strong experience with JavaScript/TypeScript, React, HTML, and CSS.
• Experience developing front-end web applications.
• Experience with UI/UX design or user-centered design.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• US Citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop modern, responsive front-end web applications using JavaScript/TypeScript and React.
• Create intuitive interfaces for complex scientific and engineering applications.
• Develop data visualizations and interactive tools to help users understand models and results.
• Collaborate with software engineers and research scientists to translate requirements into user experiences.
• Prototype, test, troubleshoot, and optimize applications for performance, security, and usability.
• Contribute across the full software development lifecycle from concept to deployment.

Skills

JavaScript/TypeScript

React

HTML/CSS

UI/UX design

Frontend development

Leadership

Communication

U.S. Citizenship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Redux

WebGL/OpenGL

Spring Boot

REST APIs

Job description

Location: Reston, VA
Security Clearance: US Citizen/Clearable

We are seeking a talented Lead UI Software Developer with a strong foundation in computer science and an eye for thoughtful UI/UX design.

You will lead a team of 5 developers and designers.

You’ll build sophisticated web applications for simulation and optimization software that models complex physical systems.

You’ll work alongside Research Scientists and Software Engineers on small, highly collaborative teams, contributing throughout the development lifecycle—from concept and prototyping through visualization, implementation, testing, and deployment.

This is an opportunity to work on technically challenging problems where software, science, and design intersect.

Team members have broad ownership and the flexibility to apply their strengths while developing new skills.

What You’ll Do

• Design and develop modern, responsive front-end web applications using JavaScript/TypeScript and React
• Create intuitive interfaces for complex scientific and engineering applications
• Develop data visualizations and interactive tools that help users understand complex models and results
• Collaborate with software engineers and research scientists to translate technical requirements into effective user experiences
• Prototype, test, troubleshoot, and optimize applications for performance, security, and usability
• Contribute across the full software development lifecycle, from early concepts through deployment

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related technical field
• 8+ years of relevant UI software development experience along with leadership
• Strong experience with JavaScript or TypeScript, React, HTML, and CSS
• Experience developing front-end web applications
• Experience with UI/UX design or a strong understanding of user-centered design principles
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• US CITIZENSHIP

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Java or Python
• Experience with Spring Boot, Redux, WebGL, or OpenGL
• Experience building interfaces for data-intensive, scientific, or engineering applications
• Experience with front-end testing and mocking frameworks
• Understanding of REST APIs, back-end development, and relational or document databases
• Experience optimizing web applications for performance, responsiveness, and security
• ACTIVE SECRET OR TOP SECRET CLEARANCE

Why This Role

If you enjoy solving difficult problems, building polished user experiences, and working alongside people who are pushing the boundaries of science and technology, this role offers the opportunity to have meaningful technical ownership from concept to deployment.